Abdication of Joyeuse

[_RoyalCrafter_ 5285]

PENNED, SIGNED & AVERRED.                            210 ARP

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✦ MAISON D’AUCLAIR - DYNASTIE VALOIS ✦
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ABDICATION OF JOYEUSE

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‘Beyond the Dark, into the Light’

 

 

 

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“ Honour, is our Laurel; Valour, is our Blade; ”
Virtue but the hand, that wields them come the day.

 

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It has been a great journey leading the House of Auclair, from the turmoil of the war of Aevos, to the destruction of that realm to our arrival here in Azuras. Truth be told, as the youngest child of my mother it was never conceived by me that I would come to inherit leadership of this House, I was but a creative who knew little in administration and politics and such. However, the seat of the House came to me, and with the support of my loved ones. Without them Auclair would not have been able to endure and rise as it has.

 

However, as an artist at heart, I must realise when to make way for new ideas and greater vigour. My most wonderful son, the pride of my heart, Jean-Baptiste has long shown to exhibit these qualities and possess a natural talent for administration, as well as show the same commitment to our beloved Petra as I have.

 

Thus, it is with great pride that I announce my abidcation to my son, Jean-Baptiste @Lokvank, to inherit the titles and leadership of our House. May he continue to lead our great people and lands to further prosperity and glory, and dedicate his work in service of the Archduchy of Petra.

 

 

 

✦ WRIT & PENNED BY

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THE HONOURABLE, Guillaume Auclair,

 Viscount of Joyeuse, Baron of Rhénanie.

 

HER LADYSHIP, Norellie Auclair, 

Viscountess-consort of Joyeuse, Baroness-consort of Rhénanie.

 

[JadeStryuu 534]

**Viola was in good health, withdrawn as ever beneath towers of books, scattered notes, and the quiet clink of too many coins, when the letter finally found her. It was placed gently upon her desk by a young scholar, the wax seal still unbroken.

 

"My lady," *he said softly, "a courier from your family. He insisted it reach you at once.’

 

**Viola dismissed him with a nod and waited until the door closed before breaking the seal. As her eyes traced the words, a gentle smile slowly bloomed upon her face—warm, sincere, almost youthful. For a fleeting moment, she forgot the stain she herself had cast upon her family name.

 

"So… it has come to pass" **she murmured, barely above a whisper.

 

**Joy stirred within her chest, genuine and bright. The news was good—better than she had dared hope. Her vassalage prospered, her scholars flourished, and the future she had labored so tirelessly to build was finally taking shape. Here, at least, she was happy.

Yet the smile faltered.

 

**Her fingers tightened around the parchment as the weight of distance settled in her heart. To know—and yet not to be there. To rejoice from afar, bound by duty and consequence.

 

‘I wish…’ **she sighed, letting the words fade unfinished into the quiet study.

 

**She rose and gazed out across her lands, where lamps burned late in the halls of learning. Surrounded by scholars, sustained by knowledge, she reminded herself of her purpose. If she could not stand beside them, then she would serve them still—mind unwavering, devotion absolute.

Study, after all, had become both her refuge and her penance.

[Dramatude 861]

Norellie sat with Guillaume, her hand gently rubbing his back in a circular motion. "He is ready, mon amour. Mon papillon has shed from his cocoon and is now a grown man fit to lead." Pride filled her as the announcement was finished with the wax of House Auclair and set for distribution.

[JudgeTrudy 610]

At hearing this news, a feeble old man would fetch one of the scribes around his office for a fresh well of ink and the finest parchment they had available. In no hurry, the Grand Speaker wrote two short letters. Little things, perhaps of little importance, but filled to the last letter with immense respect. Theodore had watched House Auclair rise to such prominence in his youth - and he called them his friends for so many years. For decades, though, he'd not met with any member of the family, not even his own best friend - whose life, he was not sure, even remained aflame. Regardless of any absence, the old politician had always carried a deep fondness for the Auclairs, and certainly great respect. So, it seemed fitting that he might, in his return to the capital, send some words to the descendants of friends long gone - who may never themselves have even heard of him before all that long ago.

 

Once each letter was finished, they were stamped with no noble's signet ring nor even the exuberance of his office as Grand Speaker. The folded envelopes were merely signed with a singular name: Theodore Elwood.

(Letters will be sent in-game shortly after posting this reply, but I am posting them here since they are fairly long)

[TO GUILLAUME, a private letter]

Spoiler

To Guillaume Rollante Auclair,

 

I write to you now on the 13th day of the Deep Cold, in our year 210 ARP. The news of your abdication has just reached me, and I have read carefully the words you've penned on this decision. I can tell from it that you are a man of considerable honor and loyalty, with a sense of self and of duty that far surpasses most men I've come to know in so many years. I suppose I should not expect any less from a member of the Auclair line.

 

It is one of my deepest regrets that you and I have not known each other, for both of your parents were among my closest and greatest friends. Over time, I have heard many of the esteemed actions of your house since your ascension. Today, your family stands now as it did a century ago: a vital pillar to the Petran society. For you are a family of many paths; yours is a family of valiant soldiers or wise politicians, yes, but also bright artists and great traders.

 

The Auclair family, from its many splendors, has continued to raise people of high honor, respect, and compassion. And in a world so full of terrors and injustices, we are always in great need of each of those qualities.

 

The decision you have made, I know in my heart, is yet further testimony to your own character, to the new Viscount, and to your noble peerage. Know that I, some dusty old relic, for what little worth it may hold, am proud of you. But more importantly, please know, that I say with extreme certainty, that each of your parents hold such pride and adoration in their hearts, too.

 

I look forward to seeing what the Honouable Viscount of Joyeuse may do in the coming years. My brief introduction to him within the Garmont has left me with a similar confidence of character.

 

Sincerely,

Mister Theodore Elwood

 

[TO JEAN-BAPTISTE, a private letter]

Spoiler

To the Honourable Viscount of Joyeuse

Jean-Baptiste Frederic Auclair,

 

The news of your ascension and of your father's abdication has called out to the Commonwealth. Upon the winds, songbirds sing the tale of the Maison d'Auclair, and now, its future. Long has your family stood as an idol among our people. For your grandparents, my great friends, and indeed your own parents, have brought to this country - nay - this world, a great wealth of knowledge, magnificence, and a clear definition of what it means to be children of Horen. For this, I pledge my friendship and my loyalty to you and your family now as I have nearly all my life.

 

Today you stand within a threshold. Already you have risen to the calls of the Petran people, and you have served your country diligently as a man of public service. But gone, I reckon, are the days of what little simplicity you may have clung to thus far. For now you lead the charge of Maison d'Auclair, and thus, you bring forth the Commonwealth as a whole.

 

I pray that your reign is long, healthy, and prosperous. For your sake, your family's, and for the realm's.

 

Sincerely and with immense respect,

Mister Theodore Elwood